Directional mirror for motor vehicles



July 24, 1951 M. M. MARBEL 2, 1

DIRECTIONAL MIRROR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed June 11, 1949 swncn BRAKE PEDAL 33 swrrcn lnventor 7 Mn? M. M/IRBEL l/f Gttomeg Patented July 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v DIRECTIONAL MIRROR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Meyer M. Marbel, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 11, 1949, Serial No. 98,586

7 Claims. (01. 177-329) The present invention deals with the rearvision mirrors commonly mounted at the lefthand side of an automobile and is concerned primarily with a rear-vision mirror which includes .directional signals for indicating certain impending operations on-the part of the driver of the vehicle in which the mirror is installed.

At the present time, considerable effort is being expended by inventors tofthe end of improving the safety factor in motor vehicle operation. One phase of this eiTort which has been receiving a considerable amount of attention during recent years is to provide equipment for advising an operator in the rear of the car in which the equipment is installedof the exact nature of certain impending deviations from. straight car driving.

Thus, there have been signalling devices provided for indicating When a left turn is to be made, the making of a right turn or when the vehicle is to be brought to .a stop. The present invention follows this trendinproviding new and highly improved equipment of this general nature.

The invention has in view as its foremost objective the provision of a rear-vision mirror that is installed in a frame ,of rectangular formation and each corner of which carries an indicating light together with a directional indicator such as an arrow. In accordance with the present invention, the light at one corner is intended to designate the making of a left turn, the light at another corner the making of a right turn, the

light in still another. corner, the bringing of the vehicle to a stop, and the light at the last corner is to indicate that the vehicle is to be backed up.

In carrying outthisidea in a practical embodiment, the rear-vision mirror is located. at the customary place; where it may be easily seen by .an operator immediately in backof the car in which the mirror is installed. 8

Another highly important object of the invention is the provision, in a rear-vision mirrorof the type indicated, of a switch which is intended to control the signals for the right and left-hand turns and which switch is so associated with the steering wheel of the car as to render its operation automatic, coincident with the making of a turn by the car. Thus, if the steering wheel is ,turned to make a left-hand turn, the signal for the left turn is automatically illuminated. Likewise, if the steering wheel is turned to make a right turn, the signal for the rightturn is automatically illuminated.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- .vide, in a rear view directional mirror of the type indicated a stop signal having a control switch that is mechanically connected to the brake pedal of the car so that when the brake pedal is applied, the stop signal is illuminated. Still anotherobject of the invention is to provide, in a rear view directional'mirror oftlie type indicated, a reverse signal having a switch that is mechanically connected to the gearshift lever of the car so that when the car is put in reverse, the reverse signal will be illuminated, Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carryingout the above noted ideas in a practical embodimentwill, in part become appar- "ent, and in part be hereinafter'stated as the deverse signal is included in a circuit having a switch operated by the gearshift lever. I

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a motor car in phantom with a rear view directional mirror designed in accordance with the precepts of this invention installed thereon.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the mirror and signal structure.

Figure 3 is a similar elevation of a slightly modified form of mirror and signal structure.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a steering wheel of a car having a control switch associated therewith together with operating instrumentalities therefor in accordance with this invention.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram depicting the circuits for the several signals; and s Figure 6 is a detailed fragmentary view showing in side elevation of the steering wheel, switch, and operating instrumentalities therefor.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts and first more particularly to Figurel, a motor vehicle is represented in phantom in Figure v1 and designated V. The. motor vehicle V includes these signals at any one time.

all the usual operating parts and mechanism contained in the conventional automobile. Those parts with which this invention is concerned are the body represented at I0, the steering column II carrying the steering wheel I2 (Figurefi), a brake pedal indicated at I3, and a gearshift lever I4 (Figure 5).

Outstanding fromthe body .l'flqat the left-hand side and immediately in front of the place normally occupied by the driver is an arm I5 which carries a rear view mirror assembly that is referred to in its entirety by the reference character M. v

The mirror assembly M may take either of the two forms depicted in Figure 2 or Figure .3; In both cases, the mirror assembly. M includes a framework that is rectangular and'definitelydefines four corners. ure 2, the frame is substantially square and en- ;closesa circular mirror I6. Inthe formshown in .=F igur.e 3, the frame is.of an oblong form. and-encloses a similarly shaped :mirnor element I1.

. ..The frame is identified at I8 and mounted in ,the'upper left-hand corner. thereof is a signal I9 that isadapted to be illuminated by a light bulb ,therebeneath. Associated with this signal 19 is anarrow 20 .and when this signal la is illuminated,v either alone .or with .the arrow 20, it in- ..dicates that the driver .of the car is to .make a .left turn. Positioned in the upper right-hand -corner 31S another signal-2| with which is associ- .ated an arrow 22. This signal 2| either alone or ..together with the arrow. 22 is adapted to be il- In the form shown in Fig-:

luminated to indicate themaking of a, right turn.

.nttthe. lower'left hand corner, there is a signal .i23 with-wihich .is associatedan arrow .24 and when the signal .23 is illuminated, it indicates that the vehicle is to be brought .to .a stop. In the. lower right-handcorner there is a signal. 25 with which iis.=as.sociated an arrow-23. and when thissignal is illuminated, it indicates that thevehicle is to be backed. up. I l

electric light or bulb must beas- .sociated witheachof the signals I9, 2 I., 23., and 23- .andthese. bulbs. must be included in electrical ci cuits. which will provide for [their being, illum- .inat,ed at the proper time. The respective bulbs and the circuits are depicted inrEigure. 5.,

.. Thelampfor thesignal I9 is. represented .at 21 cuit; The manner-in which this switch '2 His operatedwillhe laterdescr-ibed .indetail. A lamp as is provided for thesignal 23,..and included in the .ci qcuitof the. lamp. 3!] is .a. switch .31 thatisautomatically operated by the brake. pedal I3. An-

.ather lamp .32 .is provided for thereverse signal 25 'arrdgincluded the circuit. of. this lamp is a switch that is mechanicauy operatedby the gearshift I4.

' ..=Obviously, it isof the, utmost. importance that the signals.,.I.9.-,and' 2| beselectiyely operated, one .t0.the. exclusion of the, other. Thus, the switch 29 is intended to be. effective to light only one of Moreover this should be carried .out automatically asan incid'ent 'to rotating the steering wheel for making a.

turn. Theswi'tch 2.9 isshown in Figures 4 and 6 nandincludesan operating, lever .34 which is spring Jbia'sedby the leaf springs shown at, 3.5 to nor .mally maintain'the lever 34' in an off or neutr.al position. I 'The steering wheel I2 may include any numher of spokes that is currently meeting with approval by the motor car manufacturers. Inasmuch as the present trend is to a steering wheel having three spokes, the wheel I2 is so constructed. Two of these spokes are designated 36 and 31 and the switch 29 is mounted with the lever 34 substantially midway therebetween. It will be noted that this .lever 34 .is pivotally mounted on a center 38 which is offset withrespect to the axis of the Wheel l2.

Mounted on the spoke 36 is a bracket 39 which carries a hinge arm 40. The hinge connection at 4 Lis such as to cause the arm 40 to assume a position of substantially forty-five degrees with respect to .the plane to the steering wheel [2. However, upward deflection of the arm 40 is permitted by-the hinge connection at 4 I ingwheel I2 is rotated to make a left turn. Ina similar manner the arm 40 is intended to actuate theswitch lever 34 to illuminate the lamp 28for the signal 2.I when the steering wheel I2 is rotatecl to make a. right turn.

It will .be noted that there is a small amount of play between the free ends of the arms 40 and .42 andthe lever 34 which-is disposed therebetween.

When the steering wheel l2.is rotated,,say to the right as for the making of a right turn, the free end of the arm 4|] engages the lever adjacent to the end thereof and rotates this lever 34 on the center 38. Inasmuch as the latter'is offsetwith respect to the axis of the wheel 12, continued turning of the wheel I2 will cause the arm .40" to ride oifthe end of the'lever 34'. When this happens; the springs at '35'return the lever 34 to its olT or :neutral position. The wheel I2 may be turnedas far as is necessaryto makethe turn and when it is brought back toposition for straight driving; the hinge connection at 4I permits the arm to ride over the lever .34 and assumean Exactly ,the same operation takes place when a left turn ismadewith the exceptionthat the arm 421s; brought into operation rather than the arm effective position with respect thereto.

40, A it is evident that when the brake pedal I3 is depressed, the switch 3| will be closed to illumfinate the lamp 3!] for the signal 23in a well known manner. Likewise, when-thegearshift lever I4 is operated to place the car in reverse, the switch 33' is closed to illuminate-the lamp 32 for the back-up signal 25.

While preferredxspecific embodiments of them- 'verrtion' are hereinbefore set forth, it is tobe clearly understood that the invention is not-to be limited to the exact mechanisms and devices" il ;1ustrated and described because various modifications of thesefdetails may be provided in putting the invention into practice with-in the purview of the appended claims. I v

"What is claimedis:

In a rearview directionalmirrorforan auto Emotive vehicle, the combination of: a-rectangular framework, a mirror disposed centrally of. said framework, and a vehicle operation signal at each of the four corners of said framework.

' 2 In a rear view directional. mirror for .an automotive vehicle, the combination of arectangular framework, a mirror disposed centrally of said framework, a vehicle operation signal ateachlof the four corners of said framework, and an indieating arrow associated with each of said signals.

3. In a rear view directional mirror for an automotive vehicle, the combination of: a rectangular framework, a mirror disposed centrally of said framework, a signal at the upper left-hand corner of said frameworkfor indicating the making of a left turn, a signal at the upper right-hand corner of said framework for indicating the making of a right turn, a signal at the lower left-hand corner of said framework for indicating the making of a stop, and a signal at the lower right hand corner of said framework for indicating reverse.

4. In a rear view directional mirror for an automotive vehicle, the combination of: a rectangular framework, a mirror disposed centrally of said framework, a signal at the upper left-hand corner of said framework for indicating the making of a left turn, a signal. at the upper right-hand corner of said framework for indicating the making of a right turn, a signal at the lower lefthand corner of said framework for indicating the making of a stop, a signal at the lower righthand corner of said framework for indicating reverse, an illuminating lamp associated with each of said signals, a circuit including the lamps for the right and left turn signals, a switch in said circuit adapted to selectively illuminate each of said lamps to the exclusion of the other, and circuits for the others of said lamps.

5. In a rear view directional mirror for an automotive vehicle, the combination of a rectangular framework, a mirror disposed centrally of said framework, a signal at the upper left-hand corner of said framework for indicating the making of a left turn, a signal at the upper righthand corner of said framework for indicating the making of a right turn, a signal at the lower left-hand corner of said framework for indicating the making of a stop, a signal at the lower right-hand corner of said framework for indicating reverse, an illuminating lamp associated with each of said signals, a circuit including the lamps for the right and left turn signals, a switch in said circuit adapted to selectively illuminate each of said lamps to the exclusion of the other, a circuit including the stop signal lamp, a switch included in said stop signal lamp circuit and adapted to be operatively connected to the brake pedal of a motorvehicle, a circuit in which the reverse signal lamp is included, and a switch in 6 said last-mentioned circuit adapted to be operatively connected to the gearshift lever of the motor vehicle. I

6. In mechanism for controlling the operation of directional signals in a rear-vision mirror for an automotive vehicle, the combination of: a steering column, a steering wheel rotatably mounted in said column and including a plurality of spokes, a control switch carried by said column and having a lever extending outwardly therefrom between a pair of said spokes, spring means biasing said lever to normally maintain said switch in off position, a bracket secured to each of said pair of spokes, an arm hingedly carried by each of said brackets and normally assuming a position of substantially forty-five degrees with respect to the plane of said steering wheel, each of said arms being adapted to operatively engage said lever for urging said lever into rotation in one direction, each of said arms also being adapted to ride over said lever in return movement after actuation thereof.

7. In a rear view directional mirror for an automotive vehicle, the combination of a rectangular framework, a mirror disposed centrally of said framework, a signal at one corner of said framework for indicating a turn to the left of said vehicle, a signal at another framework corner for indicating a right turn, a signal at a third corner for indicating the making of a stop, a signal at the fourth framework corner for indicating backing of the vehicle, an illuminating lamp associated with each of said signals, a circuit including the lamp for the right and left turn signals, a switch in said circuit adapted to selectively illuminate each of said right and left signal lamps to the exclusion of the other, and circuits for the other lamps.

MEYER M. MARBEL. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,191,830 Rousey July 18, 1916 1,465,950 Schiller Aug. 28, 1923 1,575,446 Miller Mar. 2, 1926 1,602,094 Badding Oct. 5, 1926 1,647,663 Pollock Nov. 1, 1927 1,713,305 Stonehill May 14, 1929 

